Brochure display apparatus



Sept. 12, 1967 G. E. WILSON BROCHURE DISPLAY APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 22. 1965 I INVENTOR GEORGE E. WILSON Arm .5.

Sept. 12, 1967 G. E. WILSON 3,340,998

BROCHURE DISPLAY APiARATUS 7 Filed Oct. 22, 1965 2 sheets sheet U 68 t'lttrr INVENTOR. BY GEORGE E. WILSON AT'rys.

United States Patent 3,340,998 BROCHURE DISPLAY APPARATUS George E. Wilson, 2544 Chamberlain Road, Akron, Ohio 44313 Filed Oct. 22, 1965, Ser. No. 500,998 10 Claims. (Cl. 20644) This invention relates to a brochure display apparatus, and more particularly to a collapsible brochure display rack which can readily be assembled for attractive brochure display in many locations.

The general object of the invention is to provide an attractive brochure display apparatus which is portable and collapsible so as to be very easy to assemble and disassemble, and which is made from folded cardboard so as to be sturdy, yet relatively inexpensive.

The object of the invention and other objects which will become apparent as the description proceeds are achieved by providing in a brochure display apparatus the combination of a collapsible base defining at the top end thereof a display support plane at an angle of between about 30 to about 60" to the horizontal with a flange portion of the base extending above the lower end of the support plane to act as a limiting stop, a substantially rectangularly shaped box removably positioned on the support plane of the base, and limited in sliding movement by the flange portion of the base, and brochure display pockets removably received in aligned position on top of the box.

For a better understanding of the invention reference should be had to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of the display rack comprising a preferred embodiment of the invention;

' FIG. 2 is the display box with the lid removed showing how it may be divided into sections for receiving brochures;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the top of the box showing how the slots are cut therein for receiving the display pockets;

FIG. 4 is a perspective illustration of the back of one of the pockets showing a cut out tab which fits into the slots on the top of the box;

FIG. 5 is a broken away perspective illustration of a top advertising panel removably interlocked with the box;

FIG. 6 is a broken away perspective view illustrating how the top advertising panel is removably interlocked with the box;

FIG. 7 is a reduced size perspective illustration of a carrying case for all the components utilized in the display rack or apparatus;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the base showing the shape and folds before assembly;

FIG. 8A is a plan view of the base in partially collapsed relationship;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the base showing how the top edge of one side flap is folded up to create one side of the top support plane;

FIG. 10 illustrates how the other side flap is folded up to create the other side of the top support plane;

FIG. 11 is an elevational view showing the side support planes in their folded up relation before the base has the other flaps associated therewith folded into interlocked relationship;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the base with all flaps folded into interlocking relationship; and

FIG. 13 is an elevation of the base with all flaps folded into interlocking relationship.

With reference to the form of the invention illustrated in the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates generally a brochure display apparatus which comprises in combination a base indicated by numeral 12, a box indicated by numeral 14 supported by the base, and a plurality of brochure display pockets 16 mounted on the box 14. A lower advertising panel 18 might be removably positioned on the forward face of the base 12 behind a pair of cut out tabs 20 and 22 integrally formed with the front panel of the base 12. The box 14 is supported by base 12 at an angle to the horizontal, this angle preferably being about 45, although an angle between about 30 to about 60 degrees might also meet the desired objects of the invention. Basically, the angle support of the box 14 provides a much more attractive display, and makes the brochures which may be stored in pocket 16 much more visible, and readily accessible. The box 14 merely sits on top of the base 12, and as more fully explained hereinafter, the base 12 is collapsible to an accordian like position for ready storage.

The box 14 is made of a body portion 24 and a top 26. The bottom, as seen in FIG. 2 may be divided into a plurality of sections defining angled storage spaces 28. As can be readily understood, a plurality of brochures or pamphlets can easily be stored in the spaces 28, and because of their angled relationship therein, the top 26 could still fit onto the bottom 24.

In order to meet the desired objects of the invention, the top 26, as seen in FIG. 3, preferably has a plurality of slots 30 cut therein and uniformly spaced over the entire surface thereof so as to receive a cut out tab 32 bent back from the body of the pocket 16. This bent back tab is clearly shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings. The reason for the variation in the slots shown in FIG. 3 is so the tab 32 may position and hold the respective pocket 16 in either a horizontal or vertical position with relation to the top 26, depending upon the size of the pockets, and their desired location on the top, and Whether it is desired to position the box 14 on the base 12 with its length in one direction or the other relative to the base 12.

Another feature of the invention is the utilization of an upper advertising panel 34, as seen in FIG. 5 which incorporates a pair of folding downwardly directed flaps 34 and 36 which are inserted in a downward and inward mo tion into mating slits 34a and 36a, respectively in the ends of the box 14, as more clearly seen in FIG. 6. Naturally, the box to 26 may also be slit, as indicated in dotted lines at 34b so as to fit over the flaps 34 and 36. Normally, the upper panel 34 is positioned on the back end of the bottom section 24 of the box 14 and is bent along a line 35 substantially parallel to the top of the box 14 so as to extend substantially vertically upwardly as an advertisement panel behind and on top of the box 14, as clearly shown in FIG. 5. Naturally, any advertisement pertinent to the brochures carried either in the sections 28, or the pockets 16 will be appropriate.

FIG. 7 illustrates that a cardboard carrying box 40 with handle 42 and a flap 44 closing the open end thereof may be used to carry the base 12 in its collapsed position, the box 14, still having its respective pockets 16 thereon, and both advertising panels 18 and 34 all in a convenient, ready, and portable manner. The box 40 does not actually comprise a part of the display apparatus, but merely shows how conveniently each of the parts comprising the apparatus can be stored for transportation purposes.

Another important feature of the invention is in the actual construction of the base 12, and this is illustrated in the sequential showings of FIGS. 8 through 13. The base is made from one sheet of rather heavy gauge cardboard which preferably is cut to the shape indicated in FIG. 8. All dotted lines in FIG. 8 illustrate score lines or folds, the purpose of which will be described in more detail hereinafter. However, the ends 50 and 52 are connected to, in effect, make an endless box open at each end. Any suitable connection means such as staples, or glue might be utilized for this purpose. Then, with reference to FIG. 8a, folds are made along lines 54, 56, 58,

' 60, '62, 64 and 66 in order to provide an accordion type 3 folding of the piece into a flat position. It is the position of FIG. 8 which allows storage of the base 12 into the paskage 40 indicated in FIG. 7.

In order to facilitate the accordion type storage shown in FIG. 8a, it is also necessary that the one piece construction be a minimum length, or height, and hence a first pair of flaps 70 and 72 which provide the upward angular platform relationship for the top end of the base 12, as will be more fully explained hereinafter, are folded along lines 70a and 72a back onto their respective sides. Thus, in order to fold these first flaps 70 and 72 back into their aligned relationship with the sides, it is first necessary to fold the base into a position indicated in FIG. 9 so that folds 56 and 58 are substantially straight and fold 68 at about 90 which allows flap 70 to be folded upwardly and into alignment with its respective side. Similarly, in order to fold the flap 72 into position the folds 54 and 66 are folded straight with subsequent consequent 90 bending of fold 68 so that flap 72 may be folded up and into position. Note that in FIG. 9, the flap 72 is visible in its folded down relationship on its respective side, while in FIG. 10 flap 70 is not visible as it is in alignment with the respective side and does not form a second thickness. Thus, it should be understood that the folding up of flaps 70 and 72 as indicated in FIGS. 9 and .10 of the drawings allows the base to assume its fully extended position and be available for further folds to achieve the top supporting plane.

Specifically, in order to achieve the top supporting plane, each of the flaps 70 and 72 has an angular fold 70a and 72a thereacross, respectively. As seen in FIG. 11, the fold 72a extends down further on its respective side and is cut to form a second pair of top supporting flaps 74. The front side of the base 12 has a limit supporting flap 76 integrally attached thereto and folded at 62. In order to hold the flap 76 in position, a pair of side flaps or flange portions 78 and 80 are foldable inwardly towards the inside of the base and at about a 90 relationship to second flaps 74 to receive tabs 76a in interlocking relation through the respective slots 78a and 80a. The top supporting flaps 74 are then folded inwardly towards each other until they both lie in the same plane and are substantially wedged into position by contact with top surface of the limiting flap 76. It should therefore be clearly understood that the flaps 74 when folded down so each lie in a common plane form a support plane for the box 14 which plane is angled preferably at about 45 to the horizontal although the angle of such plane could be between about 30 to about 60, and still meet the desired display objects of the invention. The front flap 76 acts as a stop or limit to the box 14 as it is interlocked in combination with flaps or flange portions 78 and 80 and as such is in a planar angle substantially perpendicular to the plane of flap 74. Actually, the particular cut on the sides of the base defining flaps 74, 78, and 80 define the planar supporting angle for the box 14.

FIGS. 12 and 13 clearly show the base 12 in its completely folded configuration, and how it is ready to receive and properly support the box 14 in removable relationship thereon. The final strengthening and supporting feature for the base 12 is provided by a plurality of bottom flaps 82 which fold inwardly and prevent the folding of the sides in any way once the base is in the final desired support position. Naturally, the base 12 may be readily folded back to its accordion like storage position when it is desired to transport the entire brochure display apparatus, simply by reversing the folding procedure described above.

Thus, it is seen that the objects of the invention have been achieved by providing a unique folding base that receives a box and box cover for brochure display which has great flexibility, adaptability to various brochure display features, and which may be readily transportable by breaking down the entire structure and easily storing in a carrying case.

4 What is claimed is: 1. In a display rack or the like, the combination of a collapsible base defining a display support plane at an angle of between about 30 to about 60 to the horizontal with a flange portion of the base extending above the lower end of the support plane to act as a limiting stop, said base being made from one piece of cardboard connected at the ends to make an endless piece, said piece being foldable defining a foursided open ended box of substantially rectangular shape in cross section having additional folds in opposite sides to allow an accordion type collapse of the front side towards the back side, bottom flap means integral with the bottom of each side foldable inwardly to support the piece in its four sided rectangular shape, a front flap on the top end of the front side foldable into the inside of the base to define the flange portion thereof, and a first flap on the top edge of each side foldable inwardly into the box to allow it to be collapsed, a portion of said first flap having an angular fold line thereacross which extends downwardly on its respective side and intersects with said additional fold on the side, each of said fold lines defining a second top supporting flap foldable inwardly towards the inside of the base at about a 45 angle to said first flap on the top edge of each side to prevent the sides from folding, to form the support plane, and to interlock with the front flap on the top edge of the front side, said second top supporting flaps only being folded inwardly to form the angled support plane of the base after said fiaps first on the top edge of each side have been folded upwardly and into alignment with their respective sides. 2. In a brochure display apparatus the the combination of a collapsible base defining a display support plane at an angle of between about 30 to about 60 to the horizontal with a flange portion of the base extending above the lower end of the support plane to act as a limiting stop,

said base made from one piece of cardboard connected at the ends to make an endless piece, said piece being foldable to define a four sided open ended box of substantially rectangular shape in cross section having additional folds in opposite sides to allow an accordion type collapse of the front side towards the back side, bottom flap means integral with the bottom of each side foldable inwardly to support the piece in its four sided rectangular shape, a front flap on the top end of the front side foldable into the inside of the base to define the flange portion thereof, and first flaps on the top edge of each side foldable inwardly into the box to allow it to be collapsed, a portion of said first flaps having an angular fold line thereacross which extends downwardly on its respective side and intersects with said additional fold on each side, each of said angular fold lines defining a second top supporting flap foldable inwardly towards the inside of the base at about 45 angle to said first flap on the top edge of each side to prevent the sides from folding, to form the support plane, and to interlock with the flps on the top edge of the front side, and a substantially rectangularly shaped box removably positioned on the support plane of the base, and limited in sliding movement by the flange portion of the base.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2 Where the box has a top lid with said lid having a plurality of slots therethrough and uniformly positioned over the entire surface thereof, and where each pocket has a least one flap on the back thereof which when stabbed through a desired slot on the lid holds the respective pocket in selected position on the lid.

4. An apparatus according to claim 2 where the box is divided into a plurality of sections to hold and display brochures when the lid is removed.

5. An apparatus according to claim 2 where the box has a substantially vertically directed slit on each side of one end thereof, and which includes a flat top panel with a flap on each side thereof slidably received into the slits to interlock the top panel to the box, and whereby the top panel lies in a substantially vertical plane when the box is positioned and supported on the base.

6. A brochure display apparatus according to claim 2 wherein each of said first flaps on the top edge of each side must be folded upwardly and into alignment with its respective side before the respective second top supporting flaps can be folded inwardly to form the angled support plane of said base.

7. A brochure display apparatus according to claim 6 wherein each of said second top supporting flaps must be folded upwardly and into alignment with its respective side before the first flaps on the top edge of each side can be folded inwardly into the box to allow it to be collapsed.

8. In a display apparatus the combination of:

a base defining adisplay support plane at an angle of between about 30 to about 60 to the horizontal with a flange portion of the base extending above the lower end of the support plane to act as a limiting stop,

a box removably positioned on the support plane of the base, and limited in sliding movement by the flange portion of the base,

a top lid on the box with said lid having a pluralitj of short slots therethrough and uniformly positionei over the entire surface thereof, and

a plurality of display pockets having at least one project ing flap on the back thereof which when stabbe through a desired slot on the lid holds the respectivn pocket in selected position on the lid.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8 where the lid i: removable and where the box is divided into a plurality of sections to hold and display material therein when thr lid is removed.

10. An apparatus according to claim 8 where the be; has a substantially vertically directed slit on each side 0: one end thereof, and a flat-top panel with a flap on eacl side thereof slidably received into the slits to interlocl the top panel to the box, and whereby the top panel lie: in a substantially vertical plane when the box is positioned and supported on the base.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,296,158 3/1919 Bonham 2064S.15 2,665,808 l/1954 McAlister 206-73 2,940,710 6/1960 Adams 248174 3,141,555 7/1964 Funke et al 211- 3,164,350 1/1965 Taub 20644 THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner. WILLIAM T. DIXSON, JR., Examiner. 

1. IN A DISPLAY RACK OR THE LIKE, THE COMBINATION OF A COLLAPSIBLE BASE DEFINING A DISPLAY SUPPORT PLANE AT AN ANGLE OF BETWEEN ABOUT 30* TO ABOUT 60* TO THE HORIZONTAL WITH A FLANGE PORTION OF THE BASE EXTENDING ABOVE THE LOWER END OF THE SUPPORT PLANE TO ACT AS A LIMITING STOP, SAID BASE BEING MADE FROM ONE PIECE OF CARDBOARD CONNECTED AT THE ENDS TO MAKE AN ENDLESS PIECE, SAID PIECE FOLDABLE DEFINING A FOURSIDED OPEN ENDED BOX OF SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR SHAPE IN CROSS SECTION HAVING ADDITIONAL FOLDS IN OPPOSITE SIDES TO ALLOW AN ACCORDION TYPE COLLAPSE OF THE FRONT SIDE TOWARDS THE BACK SIDE, BOTTOM FLAP MEANS INTEGRAL WITH THE BOTTOM OF EACH SIDE FOLDABLE INWARDLY TO SUPPORT THE PIECE IN ITS FOUR SIDED RECTANGULAR SHAPE, A FRONT FLAP ON THE TOP END OF THE FRONT SIDE FOLDABLE INTO THE INSIDE OF THE BASE TO DEFINE THE FLANGE PORTION THEREOF, AND A FIRST FLAP ON THE TOP EDGE OF EACH SIDE FOLDABLE INWARDLY INTO THE BOX TO ALLOW IT TO BE COLLAPSED, A PORTION OF SAID FIRST FLAP HAVING AN ANGULAR FOLD LINE THEREACROSS WHICH EXTENDS DOWNWARDLY ON ITS RESPECTIVE SIDE AND INTERSECTS WITH SAID ADDITIONAL FOLD ON THE SIDE, EACH OF SAID FOLD LINES DEFINING A SECOND TOP SUPPORTING FLAP FOLDABLE INWARDLY TOWARDS THE INSIDE OF THE BASE AT ABOUT A 45* ANGLE TO SAID FIRST FLAP ON THE TOP EDGE OF EACH SIDE TO PREVENT THE SIDES FROM FOLDING, TO FORM THE SUPPORT PLANE, AND TO INTERLOCK WITH THE FRONT FLAP ON THE TOP EDGE OF THE FRONT SIDE, SAID SECOND TOP SUPPORTING FLAPS ONLY BEING FOLDED INWARDLY TO FORM THE ANGLED SUPPORT PLANE OF THE BASE AFTER SAID FLAPS FIRST ON THE TOP EDGE OF EACH SIDE HAVING BEEN FOLDED UPWARDLY AND INTO ALIGNMENT WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE SIDES. 